Animal Imports

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the average fine per offence for those found guilty of illegal importation of animals into the United Kingdom in each year since 1978;

(2) how many convictions there have been for the illegal importation of animals into the United Kingdom in each year since 1978.

The information readily available for the United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland, is given in the table. The figures reflect all prosecutions taken under the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order 1974, the Importation of Equine Animals Order 1979, and the Importation of Animals Order 1977 which have been notified to this Department.

Year

Number of prosecutions

Maximum fine (£)

1978

80

1,000

1979

74

1,000

1980

63

1,000

1981

74

700

1982

50

1,000

1983

71

1,000

1984

27

1,000

1985

77

1,500

1986

75

1,200

1987

43

1,000

1988

57

1,500

1989

31

1,600

1990

45

1,000

1991

66

2,000

1992

47

1,250

More detailed information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.